Combination grab handle and airbag bracket

• US 7,661,704 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Szalay, Daniel J., Wagner, David A., Chen, Xiaoming, Guimberteau, Thierry, Faruque, Omar
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US11/936,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20090115169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/749, 296/214, 296/216.06, 248/222.14, 248/222.21, 242/89
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A dual function mounting bracket is affixed to a hydroformed roof side rail to allow the connecting brackets to be located at the same position as previously known despite the use of a hydroformed roof side rail frame member that has a substantially different shape and configuration. The dual function mounting bracket has a first mounting surface projecting upwardly from a second mounting surface to provide support for a grab handle connecting bracket. The second mounting surface provides support for the connecting bracket of a side curtain air bag. The second mounting surface is also configured with a pair of side tabs and a front tab for welding the mounting bracket to a hydroformed roof side rail. The grab handle spans between the mounting bracket and a spaced apart sole function mounting bracket. A bead between the first and second mounting surfaces on the dual function mounting bracket provides stiffness.

Claims

1. A dual function bracket for connecting a grab handle and an air bag attachment to a roof side rail in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a first mounting surface having a first attachment opening formed therein to mount one end of said grab handle; and

a second mounting surface oriented at an obtuse angle to said first mounting surface, said first mounting surface being integral with said second mounting surface and projecting upwardly therefrom, forming a bend line between said first and second mounting surfaces causing said second mounting surface to deflect through an acute angle from said first mounting surface, said second mounting surface having a second attachment opening formed therein to mount said air bag attachment thereto, Wherein said second attachment opening is offset transversely and longitudinally from said first attachment opening and wherein said second mounting surface is formed with a pair of attachment tabs located at opposing ends of the second mounting surface to permit a welding of the dual function bracket to a hydroformed roof side rail.

2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said dual function bracket is formed with a stiffening bead located between said first and second mounting surfaces.

3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said second mounting surface is also formed with an attachment flange extending along a lower edge of said second surface to permit welding thereof to said roof side rail.

4. The bracket of claim 3 wherein said attachment tabs are oriented at an angle to said second mounting surface.

5. The bracket of claim 1 wherein a sole function mounting bracket is affixed to said roof side rail adjacent to said dual function bracket to cooperate with said dual function mounting bracket for the connecting of the grab handle.

6. In an automotive vehicle having a generally longitudinally extending roof side rail formed as a tubular member, a grab handle and a side curtain air bag attachment, the improvement comprising:

a dual function mounting bracket having first and second mounting surfaces oriented at an obtuse angle to one another, said second mounting surface having attachment members engagable with said roof side rail to position said second mounting surface away from said roof side rail, said first mounting surface projecting upwardly from said second mounting surface and having a first attachment opening for connecting a first end of said grab handle, said second mounting surface having a second attachment opening for connecting said side curtain air bag attachment; and

a sole function mounting bracket mounted to said roof side rail adjacent said dual function mounting bracket and including a first mounting surface corresponding to said first mounting surface of said dual function mounting bracket, said first mounting surface of said sole function mounting bracket having a third attachment opening for connecting a second end of said grab handle.

7. The automotive vehicle of claim 6 wherein said second attachment opening is offset transversely and longitudinally from both said first and third attachment openings.

8. The automotive vehicle of claim 7 wherein said dual function bracket is formed with a stiffening bead located between said first and second mounting surfaces, said sole function mounting bracket having a stiffening bead formed between the first mounting surface thereof and an integral welding flange.

9. The automotive vehicle of claim 8 wherein said attachment members of said dual function mounting bracket include a pair of attachment tabs located on opposing transverse ends of said second mounting surface, and an attachment flange along a lower edge of said second mounting surface, said attachment tabs and said attachment flange being welded to said tubular roof side rail.

10. The automotive vehicle of claim 9 wherein said first mounting surface of said dual function mounting bracket projects in a cantilevered manner from said second mounting surface, said first mounting surface of said sole function mounting bracket extending upwardly in a cantilevered manner from said welding flange.

11. The automotive vehicle of claim 9 wherein said attachment tabs are oriented at an angle to said second mounting surface to locate said second mounting surface at an angle to said tubular roof side rail.

12. An apparatus for mounting a grab handle and an air bag attachment to a tubular roof side rail frame member, comprising:

a dual function mounting bracket having first and second mounting surfaces oriented at an obtuse angle to one another, said second mounting surface having attachment members engagable with said roof side rail to position said second mounting surface away from said roof side rail, said first mounting surface projecting upwardly from said second mounting surface and having a first attachment opening for connecting to said grab handle, said second mounting surface having a second attachment opening for connecting said side curtain air bag attachment; and

a sole function mounting bracket mounted to said roof side rail adjacent said dual function mounting bracket and including a first mounting surface corresponding to said first mounting surface of said dual function mounting bracket, said first mounting surface of said sole function mounting bracket having a third attachment opening for connecting a second end of said grab handle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first and second mounting surfaces are integrally formed and define a bend line therebetween through which said second mounting surface deflects through an acute angle from said first mounting surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second attachment opening is offset transversely and longitudinally from said first attachment opening.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said dual function bracket is formed with a stiffening bead located between said first and second mounting surfaces, said sole function mounting bracket having a stiffening bead formed between the first mounting surface thereof and an integral welding flange.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said attachment members of said dual function mounting bracket include a pair of attachment tabs located on opposing transverse ends of said second mounting surface, and an attachment flange along a lower edge of said second mounting surface, said attachment tabs and said attachment flange being welded to said tubular roof side rail.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said attachment tabs are oriented at an angle to said second mounting surface to locate said second mounting surface at an angle to said tubular roof side rail.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first mounting surface of said dual function mounting bracket projects upwardly in a cantilevered manner from said second mounting surface, said first mounting surface of said sole function mounting bracket also extending upwardly in a cantilevered manner from said welding flange.